Every purchase and sale of a home is different. That's why it's helpful to have your advisor guide you through the process.

Questions to consider

• Do you plan to close the purchase of your new home and move in before selling your current property?
• Do you plan to sell and move before the end of your current mortgage term?
• Do you know if your contract lets you pay off your mortgage at any time without prepayment charges?
• Do you have different needs for your upcoming mortgage?
• Do you expect to stay with your caisse or do business with a caisse closer to where you're moving to?

Your advisor can help you answer these questions and offer solutions tailored to you.

Examples

• If you have your current and upcoming mortgages with Desjardins, you can transfer the conditions of your current mortgage to your new one and be entitled to a partial or full reimbursement of any prepayment charges.
• If you take possession of your new property before selling your old one, you're eligible for a bridge loan. This short-term loan allows you to pay the necessary fees to purchase your future home, such as the down payment. You then pay them back once your current property has sold.

Find out how to declare your sale on your income tax return.

A real estate broker can help you set the price for your home by looking at your neighbourhood, the features of your home and comparables. If you intend to sell it on your own, contact a chartered appraiser. Only chartered appraisers can set a sales price for your property in an unbiased manner.

Maximize the value of your home

Follow a few home staging guidelines: don't make the décor too personal and spruce up both the inside and outside. It can sometimes allow you to increase your asking price.

Fill out the Declarations by the seller of the immovable form or an equivalent form. It's where you declare the condition of your home, which minimizes the risk of legal action against you by future owners. The form also helps potential homebuyers make informed decisions.

What it includes

• The offered price
• Inclusions and exclusions
• Expiry date of the offer

Conditions

• A home inspection by a professional home or building inspector
• Possession date
• Temporary occupancy
• Mortgage approval

If you're not comfortable with certain conditions in the purchase offer, you can sign a refusal and make a counter offer, which may or may not include a different sales price.

Get home insurance to protect your property and goods.

Once the purchase offer or counter offer is accepted and all conditions are met, you can make the transaction official by sealing the deal at the notary’s office.

Let your caisse advisor know of the terms of the sale.